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Access Site OR

Benham Falls

Deschutes River

Source: oregon_gov Updated 1 year ago

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City: Sunriver, OR
County: Deschutes County
Type: Boat Ramp
Location: 43.93135000, -121.41316000
WHJP+GP Sunriver, OR, USA
Air Temp: --
Location
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Nearby Gauge Conditions
Deschutes River at Benham Falls near Bend, OR Same River 0.1 mi away
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DESCHUTES River Below WICKIUP Reservoir Near LA PINE, OR Same River 21.8 mi away
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Real-time data from USGS Water Services
Whitewater Run
IV-V Put-in Deschutes - 04. Benham Falls to Dillon Falls
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Current Conditions
Whitewater Runs on Deschutes River
15 runs (13 nearby)
Difficulty Classes
I Easy II Novice III Intermediate IV Advanced V Expert/Extreme VI Unrunnable
Position relative to this access site: Put-in at this location This location is on the run Take-out at this location
Downstream from here Upstream from here
IV-V Put-in at this location 04. Benham Falls to Dillon Falls
3.0 mi
IV+ Put-in at this location 05. Dillon Falls to Aspen
1.3 mi
I Take-out at this location 03. Big River Campground to Benham Falls
17.5 mi
III+ Downstream from here (2.6 mi to put-in) 06. Aspen to Lava Island Falls
2.0 mi
V Downstream from here (3.9 mi to put-in) 07. Lava Island Falls to Meadow Picnic Area
1.1 mi
IV Downstream from here (4.9 mi to put-in) 08. Meadow Picnic Area to Farewell Bend Park
4.3 mi
I-II Downstream from here (9.3 mi to put-in) 09. Farewell Bend Park to Sawyer Park
5.1 mi
III-IV Downstream from here (12.8 mi to put-in) 10. Sawyer Park to Tumalo State Park
5.5 mi 57 ft/mi
III Downstream from here (15.1 mi to put-in) 11. Tumalo State Park to Cline Falls State Park
13.0 mi 21 ft/mi
II-III(IV) Downstream from here (28.9 mi to put-in) 12. Tetherow Crossing Park to Lower Bridge
7.8 mi 27 ft/mi
III-IV+ Downstream from here (30.7 mi to put-in) 13. Lower Bridge to Billy Chinook Reservoir
15.6 mi 39 ft/mi
I-II Upstream from here (9.8 mi from take-out) 02. Pringle Falls to Big River Campground
15.7 mi
I(IV) Upstream from here (18.2 mi from take-out) 01. Wickiup Dam to Pringle Falls
10.3 mi
These whitewater runs are on the same river but located more than 50 miles from this access site.
III 59 mi away K. US 26 (Warm Springs) to Sherars Falls
52.8 mi 12 ft/mi
III 96 mi away L. Sherar's Falls to Columbia River
43.0 mi
Whitewater data from American Whitewater
About This Access Site
Benham Falls provides a scenic boat launch on the Deschutes River in Sunriver, offering access to both upstream and downstream paddling opportunities. This day-use area features a public boat ramp, parking, picnic tables, and restroom facilities, making it convenient for kayakers, canoeists, and motorless boaters. The site is nestled in a beautiful stand of old-growth ponderosa pines along a riparian corridor. Note that motors are prohibited on the Deschutes River at this location.

Paddlers can explore upstream to Benham Falls rapids, which make a good turnaround point before paddling back with the current to the launch, or continue downstream toward Dillon Falls. The site also provides trailhead access to the Deschutes River Trail, which runs both north toward Bend and south toward Sunriver—excellent for multi-use recreation. Dogs must be leashed at the trailhead year-round and on the river trail from May 15 through September 15. A recreation pass is required to use this facility.
Nearby Recreation Areas
Deschutes National Forest Located within